Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the sad decision by Switzerland to restrict the movement of people within Europe. What have been the repercussions of this decision to date? I understand the country has lost senior education positions within the European Union, but what penalties has it suffered? What are the implications for Swiss nationals in Europe?

I welcome the debate on Africa and Europe. It is wonderful that we have moved so far from the black baby box to support African children to recognising that the continent has come of age with major economic development and growth in certain areas. As a member of another joint committee, I have listened to ambassadors from Africa argue in favour of the development of trade as a mechanism to empower them to address poverty issues. We are trying to alleviate poverty in Europe through jobs and competitiveness.

With regard to the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, visiting Russia to attend St. Patrick's Day festivities, I applaud the Government's decision to pick the most uniquely suited Minister to travel to the country. He is a level headed, competent barrister who has been well briefed by the Tánaiste. The Government could not have chosen a better person to represent Ireland in Russia on St. Patrick's Day.

The Russian ambassador appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday. I have three questions regarding the situation in Ukraine. The Minister of State has said he has had talks on Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo. The Russians claim the legitimacy afforded to Kosovo is the same as that they are demanding for Crimea. Will the Minister of State comment on that claim? The Russians argue, on foot of the release of a recording of a conversation between the Estonian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Catherine Ashton in which he suggests the sniper bullets were used from the same weaponry, that this is proof that the snipers who killed people in Ukraine were from the right-wing parties in the country. The interim government intends to hold a presidential election on 23 May. The Russians claim this is an illegal government which cannot make this decision, but they will abide by it if the election is held later in the year, presumably around September. Ukraine, funnily enough, tends to have elections in the middle of winter, as I have attended a few of them. What are the potential difficulties confronting the holding of elections, given the conflict in Crimea, the Russians' refusal to recognise the interim government and their argument that the elections should be held as part of the natural progression in September or October as opposed to having a "rushed" election under "an illegal regime"?